Herculaneum

Herculaneum is an ancient Roman town, situated in the commune of Ercolano in the Campania region.  Herculaneum was named after the Greek god Hercules, indicating that the city was of Greek origin.  It was used as a trading post because of its proximity to the Gulf of Naples.

The inhabitants worshipped Venus, Apollo and Hercules, who was believed to be the founder of both the town and Mount Vesuvius. The site is most renowned for having been destroyed, along with Pompeii, Stabiae and Oplontis, in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which Killed and buried residents instantly with a superheated pyroclastic material that solidified into volcanic tuff.  

Excavations in the port area of Herculaneum, initially uncovered over 55 skeletons: 30 adult males, 13 adult females and 12 children. The skeletons were found on the seafront, where it is believed they had tried to escape the volcanic eruption.  The town was buried under approximately 20 meters (50-60 feet) of lava, mud and ash and lay hidden yet almost intact for more than 1600 years.  

Since the discovery of bones in 1981, around 150 skeletons have now been found.  Important ruins that have been unearthed include:

The House of Aristides, The House of Argus, The House of the Genius, College of the Augustales and Villa of the papyri and within these buildings have been discovered scrolls, frescoes, statues, marble flooring and wooden storage units.

Images

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